GPS World

Tag: fitness wearables

  • How GPS became core tech at CES

    How GPS became core tech at CES

    J. David Grossman, executive director, GPSIA
    J. David Grossman

    GPS drives the innovation economy

    By J. David Grossman
    Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
    Consumer Technology Association

    This January, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) — returned to Las Vegas. As the premier global platform for innovation, each year CES showcases the latest and greatest consumer technologies, from smartphones and wearables to self-driving trucks and electric cars.

    GPS continues to play a central role in the technology we use daily. At CES, GPS-enabled technologies are found in nearly every product category, including 5G, internet of things (IoT), smart cities, vehicle tech and fitness wearables.

    They are also among the CES 2022 Innovation Awards honorees, such as a connected bracelet that can alert emergency contacts and a robot that can identify the difference between crops and weeds.

    How did GPS come to play such a critical role in devices as diverse as drones and smartphones?

    Over the past 40 years, GPS has transformed from its origins as a military technology to one that no consumer or business can live without. During the 1990s, CTA members such as Panasonic and Sony pioneered commercially available GPS receivers.

    At CES 1998, Garmin introduced StreetPilot, described as “one of the first practical and affordable GPS-based road navigation devices” and paved the way for huge growth in the consumer GPS market.

    By the 2000s, GPS was no longer just a stand-alone technology. Following new Federal Communications Commission requirements, GPS-enabled smartphones opened the door for all-in-one devices. These products could deliver turn-by-turn navigation or identify the location of a lost or stolen device. In more recent applications, GPS technology provides the foundation for ever-more-complex mobile applications.

    Opening of the 2022 Consumer Electronic Show. (Photo: Consumer Technology Association)
    Opening of the 2022 Consumer Electronic Show. (Photo: Consumer Technology Association)

    Foundational Technology

    The evolution of GPS reflects a broader industry trend: innovators integrate foundational technology into successive generations of products, spurring development of new products and services. We’ve seen the same pattern play out for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC), which enables the latest tap-to-pay technologies. Hundreds of companies simply would not exist without free, global access to GPS signals!

    With GPS, ridesharing companies such as Lyft match drivers and passengers, lead drivers to a precise pick-up location, and chart out a safe and efficient driving route. GPS-integrated smartwatches allow runners and cyclists to easily track pace and distance, a huge boon for many of us in the pandemic era. Closer to home, GPS-enabled pet collars help families keep tabs on their furry friends.

    Revolutionary

    Beyond the technology we use daily, GPS technology is also revolutionizing such industries as agriculture. Thanks largely to GPS, centuries-old businesses are now technology companies. For instance, John Deere leveraged its 185-year history of building tractors and combines GPS with other location technologies to steer semi-autonomous tractors with centimeter accuracy. In addition to the time and efficiency benefits for farmers, technologies like these support sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of pesticides, water, seed and fertilizer.

    John Deere held a Media Days press conference at Mandalay Bay during CES 2022. (Photo: Consumer Technology Association)
    John Deere held a Media Days press conference at Mandalay Bay during CES 2022. (Photo: Consumer Technology Association)

    The success of GPS is important for our industry’s success, and I am proud of the role GPS plays in everyday life. Modernization of GPS, supported by the U.S. government and industry, will enhance the accuracy, reliability and resiliency of the technology, which in turn will ensure GPS remains central to the innovation economy.

  • U-blox signs deal with UK start-up for cutting-edge GNSS technology

    U-blox signs deal with UK start-up for cutting-edge GNSS technology

    Map plot from live tests in London show the route of a vehicle driven through Canary Wharf. It shows the difference between the position provided by a standard smartphone GNSS chip (red line) and the same data run through Focal Point Positioning's Supercorrelation software (blue line). (image: u-blox)
    Map plot from live tests in London show the route of a vehicle driven through Canary Wharf. It shows the difference between the position provided by a standard smartphone GNSS chip (red line) and the same data run through Focal Point Positioning’s Supercorrelation software (blue line). (Image: u-blox)

    U-blox has signed a deal with the award-winning U.K.-based technology company Focal Point Positioning to integrate technology that will improve the accuracy and reliability of GNSS devices. Focal Point’s Supercorrelation technology enhances positioning performance and security for applications such as smart cities, location-secure internet of things (IoT) and health and fitness wearables.

    The patented Supercorrelation technology solves a critical weakness in GNSS caused by multipath interference. Multipath interference occurs when satellite signals bounce off buildings and landmarks, causing GNSS receivers to provide degraded positioning outputs.

    The result for users is that the blue dot on their phone or device may be in the wrong place, moving in the wrong direction, or may have a large error ellipse. For autonomous vehicles it could lead to positioning errors that place the vehicle in the wrong lane or worse.

    FocalPoint’s Supercorrelation technology uses software to detect and reject reflected signals, resulting in an improvement in the performance of GNSS devices without the need for additional hardware or applications. Supercorrelation also helps with the detection and rejection of GNSS spoofing signals — an increasing concern for autonomous vehicles, ships, and aviation.

    “We are tremendously excited to be working alongside a market leader such as u-blox, our mission is to improve every positioning system on the planet and we have taken a giant step forward in that vision with this deal,” said Focal Point Positioning CEO Ramsey Faragher. “Positioning systems are so critical to our world, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of products and services that will be enabled by this higher level of accuracy, reliability and security.”

    u-blox CEO Thomas Seiler commented, “The addition of Supercorrelation technology into our latest GNSS platforms is part of our continuing focus on low power consumption, higher accuracy and security for automotive, industrial, and wearable GNSS applications.”

  • In aftermath of ransomware attack, Garmin services begin to return

    In aftermath of ransomware attack, Garmin services begin to return

    Following a ransomware attack last week that left Garmin Connect and other services offline, the company is gradually restoring its internet capabilities.

    For those who make use of fitness tracking, however, Garmin Connect workouts are still not able to sync to devices and the app is under maintenance, reports CNN.

    “We are happy to report that Garmin Connect recovery is underway,” the company announced on the Garmin Connect website. Some platforms have been given the green light, while others are offering limited services.

    The company also said in a statement that there is “no indication” that customer data was accessed, stolen or lost.

    Screenshot of Garmin Connect website, July 27.
    Screenshot of Garmin Connect website, July 27.
  • Garmin hit by massive ransomware attack

    Garmin hit by massive ransomware attack

    Fitness wearables disconnected for one day and counting

    Garmin fitness devices have been disconnected for nearly a day after the company suffered a major outage, reports the Verge.

    The outage may be caused by a ransomware attack. The outage was first reported by Garmin July 23. It affects Garmin wearables, apps and call centers, which has made customer support impossible.

    The message on the Garmin Connect website reads, “We’re sorry. We are currently experiencing an outage that affects Garmin.com and Garmin Connect. This outage also affects our call centers, and we are currently unable to receive any calls, emails or online chats. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and apologize for this inconvenience.”

    Garmin Connect allows customers to obsessively track their exercise performance and fitness goals. FlyGarmin, the navigation service that supports Garmin’s aviation devices, has also been down affecting some pilots, reports ZDNET.

    The ransomware attack has encrypted Garmin’s internal network and some production systems, according to ZDNET. The company is planning a multi-day maintenance window to deal with the attack’s aftermath, which includes shutting down its official website, Garmin Connect, FlyGarmin, and even some production lines in Asia.

    Screenshot: Garmin website
    Screenshot: Garmin website